Great Otway National Park – Rainforest Reverie on the Coast

Tucked behind the cliffs of Victoria’s southern coastline, the Great Otway National Park reveals a dramatically different Australia—lush, green, and ancient. This coastal rainforest, draped in ferns and waterfalls, offers a refreshing counterpoint to the sunburnt plains and arid Outback. Here, moss carpets the forest floor and giant myrtle beech trees form cathedrals of shade. Begin your visit with a guided walk through the Maits Rest Rainforest Trail, where interpretive signage, filtered light, and birdsong set the tone for a contemplative journey. For those seeking adventure, the Otway Fly Treetop Walk offers the thrill of an elevated steel canopy walkway—swaying gently above tree ferns and mist-shrouded gullies. Opt for a private photography expedition at dawn, or a forest bathing session led by a naturalist guide, where mindful movement enhances connection to the ecosystem. Spot koalas, gliders, and elusive lyrebirds along the way, or descend to Triplet Falls, one of the park’s most graceful cascades. For a luxe contrast, retreat to a forest lodge where locally sourced meals and woodfire lounges await. A picnic beside the Aire River, paired with Otway Pinot Noir, is the perfect afternoon indulgence. Whether for wellness, photography, or quiet discovery, the Otways invite you to slow down and listen—because in this rainforest, the silence speaks.